Rev. Samuel Pullen was born in Minnesota and grew up in Iowa. Samuel has been responding to the call of solidarity with the poor and oppressed since high school. At the Evergreen State College in Washington, Samuel conducted pesticide education sessions with farmworkers and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Sociology and Environmental Justice. For the next ten years, Samuel worked as a labor and community organizer with UNITE HERE, the Hotel and Restaurant workers union.

In 2008, Samuel felt called to join an intentional Christian community called the Center for the Working Poor where he coordinated a food delivery program and led non-violent campaigns for immigrant rights and access to health care for all. While engaged in bilingual worship at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, God began preparing Samuel’s heart for Christian ministry. In 2010, Samuel responded to the call to pursue a Masters of Divinity at Claremont School of Theology. Samuel completed his field education at the First Congregational Church in Pasadena, where he helped to launch a new ministry and worship service called “(a)Spire.” Samuel served as the ministry assistant at Woodland Hills Community Church from 2012-2013 where he coordinated spiritual formation, community outreach, and taught music at the Nursery School. Samuel was ordained by the United Church of Christ on August 24, 2013, to serve as a “Minister of Health Justice” with LA Voice, where he built teams that helped over 850 people obtain affordable health care.

Rev. Pullen is currently working as a guest preacher and seeking a call as a church pastor. Samuel is fluent in Spanish and plays violin with mariachi groups, where he is commonly known as “El Mariachi Gringo.” One of the greatest blessings in Samuel’s life is being married to Elizabeth González, who works as a bilingual educator in public schools and as a private language coach. They now live together in Culver City, CA, where they enjoy preparing healthy meals, dancing, exploring nature, and spending quality time with family and friends.

As a part of Immanuel’s 125th year, we are discerning God’s call to Immanuel for the next 125 years. The session invites you to participate in a series of educational and listening sessions over the next two months regarding the mission and future of Immanuel. Join us as we work together to discern how Immanuel will live into God’s good news to the city of Los Angeles.

Two Educational Sessions will be hosted by members of session in the Parlor at12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Sunday March 23 and at 12:45 p.m.—1:45 p.m. on Sunday March 30. At the Educational Sessions, elders will share information about Immanuel’s resources, ministries, our campus and our mission. Both Educational Sessions will be bilingual.

Two Listening & Dialog Sessions will be hosted by members of session in the Parlor at 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Sunday April 6 and Sunday April 13. At the Listening & Dialog Sessions, elders encourage members to share their ideas, comments, concerns in writing. The broader conversation from the Listening & Dialog Sessions will be shared with the whole congregation, along with timelines for responses. Members who are interested in becoming more involved in the discernment & research work can find out more. Elders will draw on these conversations as they continue to lead Immanuel in discerning the mission and future for the next 125 years.

We look forward to having these important conversations will the whole Immanuel family. Please make plans to participate in one of the Educational Sessions (3/23 or 3/30) AND one of the Listening & Dialog Sessions (4/6 & 4/13). In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact any elder on session with questions or comments.

Hello Everyone!
My name is Rafael Cardona and I’m very excited to join the Immanuel team in the capacity of COO – Chief Operating Officer. I look forward to working with all of you and help the organization accomplish its mission and reach its goals. Feel free to stop by my office at any time so we can chat about how we can collaborate.

As those of you who attended last night’s “Meet the Candidate” gathering know, Elizabeth Gibbs Zehnder is the candidate for Pastor of Immanuel. The Pastor Nominating Committee worked hard with the assistance and support of the Committee on Ministry to discern the candidate called to be our Pastor. The Committee on Ministry unanimously supports our selection of Elizabeth as our candidate for Pastor.

For those of you who asked when we began this process why Elizabeth didn’t simply become pastor upon Frank’s resignation, it was explained that a search was required and, in fact, Elizabeth was not an eligible candidate under the Presbyterian Church’s Book of Order. A recent change in the Book of Order removed the disqualification of Associate and Interim Pastors as possible candidates but there is an additional step required when a church seeks to install as Pastor a current Associate Pastor.

After approval by the Congregation, the Presbytery must approve the exception to call the current Associate Pastor by a 3/4 vote. As previously announced, the Congregational Meeting to approve the terms of Elizabeth’s Call will be July 15 during the All Together Worship service. The Presbytery of the Pacific will meet and vote to approve the exception to permit Elizabeth’s Call on July 28.

As noted above, the Committee on Ministry unanimously supports our selection of Elizabeth as Pastor of Immanuel and will be presenting the motion that she be approved as Immanuel’s Pastor by Presbytery. We expect voters to approve Elizabeth’s Call and to be able to report on Sunday, July 29, that Elizabeth is our Pastor!

Other than those from Immanuel, who we know will be supporting Elizabeth’s candidacy, if you know any members of Presbytery who will be voting on July 28, let them know you/we encourage them to vote “yes” on the motion.